OPtimizing EDucation

In OPtimizing EDucation, by Dan Hurley July 14, 2023

The recently passed Fiscal Year 2024 higher education budget reflected a second consecutive spending framework that signals a notable reinvestment in the state’s public postsecondary institutions and the students they serve. It is the most substantive higher education budget of…

In OPtimizing EDucation, by Dan Hurley January 27, 2022

1,737 years. That’s the number of years that Michigan’s 15 public universities have collectively existed. More than half of our state’s public universities were established in the nineteenth century, beginning with the University of Michigan’s founding in 1817, a full two…

In OPtimizing EDucation, by Dan Hurley May 25, 2021

The leaders of Michigan’s 15 public universities and the team here at MASU have long contended that there are real consequences for the state’s disinvestment in higher education over the past twenty years, which has seen a more than 40% reduction in state funding per student. As…

In Educational Attainment, by Dan Hurley October 13, 2020

After more than a year of deliberations on how best to increase the proportion of Michigan residents who possess a postsecondary degree or certificate, an action plan has come together. As originally announced last fall, a diverse state work group has participated in a…

In Higher Ed Finance, by Dan Hurley October 1, 2020

When it comes to matters of state funding for higher education in Michigan and the enhancement of college affordability, there has been little reason to express appreciation since the turn of this century, given the more than $1 billion inflation-adjusted disinvestment in…

In Workforce Alignment, by Dan Hurley August 26, 2020

Michigan’s Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives has again gone through the process of looking at what good paying occupations are likely to witness growth in the coming years, updating its “Hot  50” job outlook through 2028. And once again, the report…

In Diversity & Inclusion, by Dan Hurley June 15, 2020

George Floyd’s killing is a tragedy. It is a vivid reminder of similar senseless deaths and immense human suffering. It has become a clarion call to meaningful action, sparking protests in the U.S. and around the world to confront ongoing racism and inequities plaguing our…

In Financial Aid, by Dan Hurley December 6, 2019

Seldom are reports published that so clearly and concisely illustrate just how much of an aberration Michigan is when it comes to ensuring college affordability for its residents. The release by The Century Foundation of its latest report on Michigan college affordability…

In Educational Attainment, by Dan Hurley December 4, 2019

With one of the highest forecasted declines in the number of high school graduates in the decade ahead among all states, Michigan needs to do all it can to encourage more graduating high school students to enroll in some form of postsecondary education. The economic prospects of…

In Educational Attainment, by Dan Hurley September 19, 2019

Michigan is one of seven states selected to participate in an “Attainment Academy” aimed at crafting a statewide strategic plan for increasing the postsecondary education levels of the state’s residents. The effort is being coordinated by the State Higher Education Executive…

In Economic Development, by Dan Hurley February 21, 2019

An earlier version of this commentary originally appeared in Bridge Magazine The world of work has changed over the last 20 years. It’s vital that Michigan change with it. That means placing a priority on investing in education that can provide the talent needed to attract and…

In Educational Attainment, by Dan Hurley February 20, 2019

In her State of the State Address, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced an ambitious and much-needed goal for Michigan to increase its postsecondary education attainment level to 60 percent by 2030, as measured by the proportion of Michiganders with a college degree or…

In Economic Development, by Dan Hurley January 18, 2019

It is clear that talent is the currency of today’s hypercompetitive, global economy. The cities and regions that successfully attract and retain college-educated individuals will reign supreme on measures of economic prosperity. And the markets that are succeeding in drawing…

In Educational Attainment, by Dan Hurley November 14, 2018

The Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) unveiled a marketing campaign this week reminding Michigan high school students and their parents that earning a college degree is a great way to ensure a good career, a chance to “make the difference” in their life and…

In Higher Ed Finance, by Dan Hurley September 20, 2018

The extent to which state governments invest in their public colleges and universities and in their student financial aid programs has a direct impact on access to and affordability of a college degree. Greater state investment mitigates the need for colleges to raise tuition…